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RA 12325 Explained: What Marco’s New Law Means for College and TVET Students
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Add The Colleges PH on GooglePresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act (RA) 12325, an Act Enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Act, during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila on September 4, 2026.
The new law amends RA 10931, which provides free tuition and other school fees for students at state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and state-run technical-vocational institutions (TVIs), and expands government financial assistance for both college and vocational education students.
Unlike a standalone scholarship program with its own application form and deadline, RA 12325 changes the rules of existing government assistance, mainly the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), that students already apply for through their schools, CHED, TESDA, or UniFAST. Here’s what the law actually changes, and what remains to be worked out.
What Does RA 12325 Change?
Based on statements from Malacañang and details reported so far, RA 12325 introduces the following changes to the existing UAQTE framework:
1. Expanded TES coverage and prioritization:
The law sets up a prioritization system for eligible students under CHED’s Tertiary Education Subsidy, giving students from households enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) the highest priority, while remaining slots are allocated based on household income.
2. Support for students in qualified private schools and TVIs:
The law introduces a pilot program to support disadvantaged students in priority programs at private higher education institutions and TVIs, upholding complementarity between public and private education.
According to Marcos, poor and deserving students taking priority programs who are not covered by existing grants may also receive government support to study at qualified private higher education and technical-vocational institutions.
3. Periodic adjustment of subsidy amounts:
The law requires the UniFAST Board to review and adjust TES amounts every two years to account for inflation and changing education costs.
4. A single learner reference code:
A “single learner reference code” will be established to improve the targeting and monitoring of beneficiaries from secondary to tertiary education.
5. Continued priority for 4Ps beneficiaries:
Under UAQTEA, senior high school graduates from 4Ps households are prioritized for the tertiary education subsidy if they are able to get into an eligible college or TVET program.
Why the law was Signed
In his speech, Marcos framed the amendments as building on the government’s existing tuition-free education program. He said the measure brings the country closer to a future where every Filipino family has at least one member who completes a bachelor’s degree or a technical-vocational education and training (TVET) program.
He also pointed to recent gains in the country’s higher education standing, noting that the number of local colleges appearing in global innovation rankings rose sharply in a few years, a trend he credited to deliberate government policy choices.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Marcos signs law expanding aid for college, vocational students
Does this mean new Scholarship Applications are Open now?
Not immediately. RA 12325 amends the legal framework behind TES and related assistance, it does not, on its own, open a new application window with its own form or deadline. Existing CHED-UniFAST channels, such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy and the CHED Tulong Dunong Program, remain the primary avenues through which students apply for this assistance.
Implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are typically issued after a law like this is signed, and these will spell out the specific documentary requirements, income thresholds, and timelines for the new prioritization system and the private-school/TVI pilot program.
Students should watch for announcements from CHED, TESDA, and UniFAST on how these provisions will be rolled out.
READ: 2027 budget proposal slashes Philippines higher education funding nearly in half
What Students should do now
- Continue applying through existing channels, if you are already eligible for TES or other CHED-UniFAST assistance, continue monitoring your school’s scholarship or financial assistance office for application calls.
- Watch for IRR announcements, the detailed rules on prioritization, the private school/TVI pilot program, and subsidy adjustments will likely be released by CHED, TESDA, or UniFAST in the coming months.
- Verify updates through official sources, as with any new government program, be cautious of unofficial pages claiming to process applications under RA 12325 before implementing guidelines are released.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Republic Act 12325?
RA 12325 is a law signed by President Marcos on September 4, 2026, amending the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931) to expand government financial assistance for college and TVET students, with added priority for disadvantaged groups.
Does RA 12325 replace CHED Tulong Dunong or the Tertiary Education Subsidy?
No. RA 12325 strengthens and expands the existing framework, including TES, rather than replacing it with a new standalone program.
Who gets priority under the new law?
Students from households enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program get the highest priority for TES slots, with remaining slots allocated based on household income.
Can students in private schools now receive this assistance?
The law introduces a pilot program allowing poor and deserving students in priority programs at qualified private higher education institutions and TVIs to receive government support, particularly those not already covered by existing grants. Specific eligibility details are expected once implementing guidelines are released.
Is there a new application form for RA 12325?
Not yet. There is no dedicated application process specifically for RA 12325 at this time. Students should continue to apply through existing CHED-UniFAST channels and watch for updates once implementing rules are issued.
When will the new provisions take effect?
The law has been signed, but specific timelines for rollout typically depend on implementing rules and regulations to be issued by the relevant agencies. No firm rollout date had been announced as of this writing.
